10 Jul 2025

In recognition of the contribution that the legends have made toward the development of visual arts and laying a foundation for the visual art space in Botswana, Thapong Visual Arts Centre has staged a month-long exhibition dubbed Thapong Legends Exhibition.

The exhibition will feature 31 pieces by Phillip Segola, Velias Ndaba, Mokwaledi Gontshwetse, Kentse Bogatsu, Veryan Edwards and Rebecca de Figueiredo, whom Minister for State President, Moeti Mohwasa described as not only legends, but Botswana ambassadors with a wealth of experience that could uplift the standard of the visual arts in the country.

Officiating at the Thapong Legends Exhibition on July 8, Mohwasa pledged government support for the creative industry for the reason that art was a viable resource that could be harnessed to earn revenue for the country while also beautifying spaces. He said the creative industry also had a big role to play in Botswana’s economic development.

“Arts and culture is an exportable commodity and investment in the sector can boost foreign exchange earnings,” Mohwasa said, adding that the creative industry was a vehicle for job creation through many forms such as fine arts, crafts, music, film, jewellery, publishing and fashion design.

According to the 2019 BIDPA study, the creative industries contribute 5.45 per cent of Botswana’s gross domestic product. 

“The creative industries are growing at a fast pace, providing impetus for innovation that has potential to revitalise our communities,” said Mohwasa, appealing to the business community for support of the artists and the creative industry at large.

Mohwasa further said the exhibition contributed toward the realisation of a knowledge-based economy, especially that it came at a time when Thapong Visual Arts Centre was setting up Botswana Art Online, an online marketing platform for Botswana artists.

He also said the exhibition was a platform for legends to offer ‘silent critique on the current state of the visual works, setting ultimate standard to prompt other artists to think beyond the ordinary, to innovate and break new ground in the visual arts industry’.

Thapong Visual Arts centre, coordinator Reginald Bakwena appealed for more support from government, adding that financial support from government would come in handy to assist visual artists all over the country in need of the centre’s support. He said the funds were also needed for young artists’ capacity-building workshops, where the legends would guide and teach them the ropes of the artistic world. ENDS